Portland, Maine, Three Towns in Michigan Vote to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Voters in Maine’s largest city and in Michigan’s
state capital, Lansing, as well as Ferndale and Jackson have all
approved measures that legalize the recreational use of marijuana
in their jurisdictions. In Lansing, the measure
passed with 62 percent of the vote—it prohibits the city from
regulating marijuana in amounts under an ounce that is possessed or
used on private property. Lansing’s mayor, Virg Bernero,
supported the initiative, pointing out that the “public is far
ahead of most politicians on this issue.”

Ferndale’s measure passed
even more resoundingly, with 69 percent voting in favor. It had
been opposed by nearly all of the city’s political establishment,
and this summer the local police
targeted one of the main organizers of the initiative, charging
him with “marijuana delivery” and even suggesting where he lives
could render the initiative void even if it passed.  

Jackson’s effort to decriminalize marijuana
passed with about 61 percent of the vote.

Portland’s initiative,
meanwhile, decriminalized possession of marijuana in amounts up
to 2.5 ounces but also banned its use in many public places.
Legislators in Maine have been trying to legalize marijuana
statewide. No state has yet legalized marijuana via its
legislature, though
several states, including Maine, could join Colorado and
Washington in legalizing marijuana next, especially on the 2014
ballot.

Medical marijuana is notionally legal in Michigan and Maine
already.